Downspout strainer



y June 5, 1945.l

DOWNSPOUT STRAINER E. A. ROBERTSON Filed Aug. 1'7, 1942 BYIM 64m', ,411cm g lim HFUEAEY Patented June 5, 1945 STATES PATENT OFFICE;

DO WNsPoU'r sTRAiNEa "i Edward A. Robertson, Crete, Ill.

l v Application August 17,1942, seria1No.455,o4s

' 3 claims. (o1. 21o- 170) This invention relates generally to strainer devices and more particularly to a type of strainer deviceserviceable in 'association with the downspout opening of a gutter on architectural structures, although not limited to such use.

' vAn. important object ofthe present invention is theprovision of a new and effective strainer device embodying novel structural features rendering-the same easily'installed at its place of use.

1A further object-is the provision of an improved strainer particularly expediently insertable into a v narrow space between a roof edge and the lip of an associated eave gutter for attachment about a downspout opening therein. f A still further Objectis the provision ofA an improved strainer deviceipossessing' the aforesaid novel features, together with structural characteristics that make it extremely inexpensively produced.

Another object of this invention is to provide means for holding the strainer in position at the top of a downspout.

These and other desirable objects encompassed by and inherent in the invention will become apparent from the ensuing description when considered with the single sheet of annexed drawing, wherein:

Fig. 1 is a side view of a strainer device constructed according to the principles f the present invention;

Fig. 2 is a perspective View of the d'evice illustrating an intermediate stage in the installation thereof within the gutter of an architectural structure: y

Fig. 3 is a transverse sectional view taken through the gutter illustrated in Fig. 2, but showing the lter device installed within the downspout opening thereof.

Referring to Fig. 1, my improved strainer device I0 will be seen to have an over-all contour similar t0 that of an inverted cup. The base portion II of the device constituting the brim of the cup-shaped configuration is formed of a metal band bent substantially into a circle. The strainer portion I 2 of the device is formed of a plurality of strainer fingers I3 extending axially of the device from an edge of the base portion or band II, said fingers being narrower at their upper ends where they are bent inwardly, leaving an end opening I4. An oppOsite end opening I5 is within the base of the device.

A slit I6 is provided in the base portion II in circumferential registry with an adjacent pair of the strainer iingers I3 to coact therewith in forming an axial breach traversing the base and strainer portions of the device and communicating between the end openings I4 and I5. This breach in the device enables it to be modied in circumferential extent, that is, to be made smaller in circumference when the opposite edges I1 and I8 of that portion of the slitl I6 are forced together or to increase the circumferential extent of the device when the breach is widened when the edges I'I and I8 are spread; After bending the various parts of the device into the desired shape, the deviceA will be tempered to render it resilient so that whether the axial breach therein is widened or diminishedthere will be a tendency recover to the original shape illustrated in My improved device isparticularly adapted for installation in a gutter of the character as that shown at 20` in Figs.. 2 and 3. Frequently, as shown in Figs. 21and 3, there is very little space left between the gutter lip 2I and the edge 22 of a roof 23. In such instances there is insuflicient room to permit the passage of a conventional strainer device for insertion within a downspout opening as 24 leading into a downspout as 25. Such difficulty, however, is not encountered with the present device, for by spreading the axial breach therein the device can be slipped into coaxial relation with the gutter lip 2I, such lip extending through the end openings I4 andl I5 and through the hollow interior of the device. After the device is thus associated with the gutter in the manner shown in Fig. 2, it is rotated about the lip 2| to transfer the body of the device into the gutter and thereafter the device is forced into the gutter incident to spreading the axial breach in the device to permit the passage of the lip outwardly therefrom. Following this operation the device is manipulated by means of the workmans fingers extending inwardly through the space between the lip 2! and the roof edge 22. By this manipulation the device is set upright, its

base II contracted by narrowing the breech at I6, to enable the base to be inserted downwardly into the downspout opening 24. Upon release of the device, its inherent resiliency causes the base to expand, widening the breach but causing the outer periphery thereof to firmly engage the inner periphery of the material about the downspout opening.A

Since the device is resilient it recovers to the initial or relaxed condition shown in Fig. 1 after spreading of the axial breach in its side wall pursuant to the insertion and withdrawal of the gutter lip 2| incident to installing the device. Therefore the device can be contracted at its base I I for insertion within an opening as the downspout opening 24, or it may be expanded and allowed to contract onto a ange or the like (not shown) for holding it in position over the entrance of a channel from which the device is to exclude debris.

In addition to providing a highly effective device, and one readily installed under adverse conditions, I have also provided a device that is easily 4and economically constructed. It is conceivable that the device is made from, a flat piece of metal stock by a simple stamping operation. Subsequent to preparation of the flat stamping whichconsists of the strip Il with the fingers i3 lextending perpendicularly from one of its edges,

the strip is bent from its straight formation to the vgenerally circular or cylindrical formation shown in Fig. 1 and the free ends of the fingers are bent inwardly by a suitable press, in a manner well known in the art, t0 impart the desired l i'ormatlonthereto. l

In orderto keep the strainer from Working its way downinto. the downspout 25,y shoulders 2E and 21 are provided near the bases of two of the fingers. Asillustrated in, Figure 2', these `shoulders engage the'oor of the gutter 20- andgsupport; the strainer in the desired position'. t Y l l While I have herein shownand described a pref ferred embodiment with the View', of fully illus trating the` invention, it should be understood that the yinvention extends to other forms. arrangements, structures,v details and materials falling within the scope and spirit thereof and not sacriilcingall of its material advantages.

I claimt; Y y 1. A downspout strainer comprising a substantially cylindrical `member formed of resilient sheet material, a slit substantially parallel to the axis of the cylindrical, member and' extendingl the,` full length thereof, and a plurality of open ended slots extending from a rst end of the cylindrical member toward the second end to form therebetween a plurality of tines, the spacing between the in- 'side ends of the slots and the uncut or second end of the cylindrical member being such that the cylindrical member can be manually contracted for insertion in a downspout.

2. A downspout strainer comprising a. substantially cylindrical member formed of` resilient sheet material, a slit substantially parallel to the axis of the cylindrical member and extending the full length thereof, and a plurality of open ended tapered slots extending from a first end of the vcylindrical member toward the second end to form 'therebetween a plurality of tines, the spacing between the inside ends of the slots and the uncut or second end of the cylindrical member being such that the cylindrical member can be manually contracted for insertion in a downspout, and the tips of the tines being bent inwardly toward the axis of the cylindrical ,member to act as a screen.

3. A downspout strainer comprising a. subs-tantially cylindrical member formed of resilient sheet material, a slit substantially parallelto the axis of the cylindrical member and extend-ing the full length thereosaid member being. slottedfrom a first end ofthe cylindrical mem-ber to a point adjacent the second uncut endl to form therebetween a plurality of tines,'the spacing between 'the inside ends: of the slots and the unc-ut or second end of the cylindrical member being such that the cylindrical member can be manually contracted for insertion. in a downspout and an outwardly directed shoulder on one of. they tines near its base for limiting insertion of the strainer in a downspout. I

- EDWARD A. ROBERTSON. 

